Photo: Jim Dyson / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
Black Stone Cherry are set to release a new EP titled Celebrate on March 6, 2026, marking a self-produced project that the band says reflects both creative independence and changing listening habits.
Frontman Chris Robertson explained in a recent interview that the seven-track release — featuring six originals and a cover of Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” with Theory of a Deadman singer Tyler Connolly — was recorded in a small Kentucky studio and produced entirely by the band. Robertson and engineer Jordan Westfall handled mixing, alongside late engineer Mark Owens, a longtime collaborator who died in December.
Robertson said Black Stone Cherry has preferred producing its own material since the mid-2010s, after years working with high-profile producers. He noted the group reached a point where they trusted their instincts and sonic identity, adding that returning to record close to home in Kentucky remains creatively rewarding.
The decision to release an EP instead of a full album was also intentional. Robertson pointed to shifts in music consumption, arguing that modern audiences expect new material more frequently than traditional two-year album cycles allow. With a batch of songs they felt strongly about already completed, the band chose a shorter format to deliver music sooner and gauge fan response.
He acknowledged that full-album listening has become less common in the streaming era, even among rock audiences, but said the band still approaches new material with a cohesive mindset. Writing for Celebrate also differed from recent projects: instead of composing largely on tour buses, members gathered at guitarist Ben Wells’ home, a change Robertson said brought fresh energy while still sounding recognizably like Black Stone Cherry.
The EP follows the band’s 2023 album Screamin’ At The Sky and arrives after more than two decades of steady releases, including eight studio albums and multiple EPs. Robertson said the group continues to experiment with format and workflow as the industry evolves.
SOURCE: Blabbermouth